Fifteen students from Western Carolina University will participate in an alternative fall break Oct. 8 -12 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they will assist two social service agencies and local churches with various projects over the five-day period.

At the Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach, the WCU volunteers will serve meals to more than 250 local residents. They also will assist the Carolina Youth Development Center in Monck’s Corner, S.C., with activities for children from abusive homes. In addition, group members will assist in various work projects at local churches.

“We are very excited about the eye-opening experiences these unique organizations will be offering our team,” said Brendan Braaten, project coordinator at WCU’s Center for Service Learning, who is organizing the trip. “We want this trip to be a memorable component of each student’s collegiate career.”

The Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach has been serving meals to people described as “hungry, homeless and working poor” since 1993. Located in the Community Assistance Center, the nonprofit organization opens its doors 365 days a year.

Founded in 1790 as the Charleston Orphan House, the Carolina Youth Development Center assists children in reaching their full potential as healthy, well-adjusted individuals by delivering a continuum of prevention, assessment, intervention and treatment services.

The university’s Center for Service Learning organizes fall and spring break trips as part of the WCU’s alternative break program. The program’s emphasis is on providing direct service to people in need in North Carolina and adjacent states. The trip to Myrtle Beach will be the third for fall break. Previous trips were to Johns Island, S.C., and Atlanta.

For more information, contact Braaten at blbraaten1@catamount.wcu.edu or call (828) 227-2592.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009